Convertible boat propelling and steering apparatus



Sept. 15, 1931. J. H. GAsKlNs CONVERTIBLE BOAT PROPELLING AND STEERING APPARATUS 'Filed sept. 22, 195o 2 Sheets-Sheet l www FEEEEEEECEE IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Slept. 15, 1931. J. H. GAsKlNs 1,822,965

CONVERTIBLE BOAT PROPELLING AN STEERING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

JH. @askin/S Patented Sept. 15, 19.31

PATENT oFFIcE JAMES HENRY GASKINS, OE NASHVILLE; GEORGIA CONVERTIBLE BOAT PBOPELLING AND STEERING APPARATUS Application led September 22, 1930. Serial No. 483,678.

This invention relates to an improved propelling and steering apparatus for boats, barges and the like, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of this kind, whereby the boat orbarge may be propelled in water and onY land, so that when the barge comes to shore it may traverse the shore to the warehouse for discharging the cargo.

A further object is to provide an improved propelling device of this kind, there being one on each side of the boat or barge, so that either one may be operated'for steering the barge. Forvinstance, should the propelling or tractive device on the right hand side of the boat be actuated, the other remaining idle, the barge may be steered to the right;

- and should the propelling and tractive device on the left hand side be operated, the opposite one remaining idle, the barge may be turned to the left.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind comprising improved, eiiicient and practical features of construction.

One of the features of construction is the provision of an endless chain traveling about the barge longitudinally adjacent each side thereof and being housed on the deck of the barge, and provided with members to operate in the water or on land, for propelling the barge through the water or on land, in combination with means for operating the chain.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of guiding means for said chains.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations falling within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings: A

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a barge or boat, showing the improved propelling means as applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Referring more especially to thedrawings, 1 designates a boat or barge which may be any suitable or conventional shape, preferably as shown in the drawings, and secured on opposite sides of the boat or barge near the bottom and the ends as shown at 2 are plates 3. Secured at 4 to the bottom of the barge are angle brackets 5, there being two rows, the brackets of each row being opposite the plates 3 on one of the sides of the barge. Mounted in suitable bearings of the plates and angle brackets, (there being bracket plates on the diagonal ends of the barge) are the pintles 6 of the rollers 7. Passing about the rollers and sliding upon the deck of the barge are endless chains 8, there being one pair adjacent each side of the barge. It is to be noted that the plates and angle brackets extend downwardly beyond the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers, whereby the chains are retained on the rollers during their' movements. Mounted in suitable bearin s 9 at the bow of the barge are shafts 10 having sprocket wheels 11, about which the chains 8 engage. Mounted in suitable bearings 12 at the stern of the barge are shafts 13 and 14, which are provided with sprockets 15 and 16, about which the chains 8 engage. Mounted in bearings 17 of the plate 18, which is secured at 19 to the stern of the barge is the'shaft 20. This shaft is intermediate the adjacent ends of the shafts 13 and 14 and is axially alined therewith. Secured by pins 21 on the ends of the shaft 20 are friction clutch drums 22 and 23. Splined by means of the feathers 24 on the shafts 13 and 14 are friction clutch cones or members 25 and 26, which, when shifted toward the drums 22 and 23 to engage them, the shafts 13 and 14 arerotated with the shaft 20, on which a pulley 27 is keyed as shown at 28.

A suitable motor 29 has its pulley 30 belted by means of the belt 31 to the pulley 27, whereby motion may be imparted to the pulley and its shaft. The clutch cones are provided with reduced portions 32 having annular grooves 33 which are engaged by the collars 34. These collars have radial pins 35, which engage the slots 36 of the forks 37 of the levers 38 and 38a which are pivoted at 39 to the deck of the barge. The handle ends of these levers have projecting ribs 40 which are designed to engage the teeth of the racks 41, which are mounted or secured to the deck of the barge, so as to hold the levers in different adjusted positions. When the lever 38 is oscillated to shift the clutch cone 36 in frictional Contact with the clutch drum 23 thc chains on the left of the barge will be operated, consequently the barge may turn to the right. Should the lever 38a be shifted, whereby the clutch cone 25 may engage the drum 22, the chains on the right will be operated, hence turning or guiding the barge to the left. When both cones 25 and 2G frictionally engage their drums 22 and 23 both pairs of chains are operated for propelling the boat or barge in water or on land. The chains of each pair are connected Y' cured to the sides of the barge by the transversely disposed elongated members 42, which are designed to act as propelling members to propel the barge through the water. lVhen the barge approaches the shore and strikes bot-tom the members 42 engage the bottom or the shore,`as as to propel the barge on the land. Mounted upon the deck of the barge and specifically forming integral parts therewith are shields or guards 43, which are angular in cross section and extend outwardly and overlie the chains and their propelling members.

Secured at 44 to opposite sides of the bargeY are angle plates 45, the angle ends of which are secured at 46 to the upper faces of the guards or shields, thereby reinforcing the same.

The invention having been set forth what claimed as new and useful is:

l. The combination with a barge, of propair of chains travelling longitudinally about the barge adjacent each side, propelling members connecting transversely between said chains, roller mountings on the bottom and the ends 'of the barge engaged by said chains, operating means for the chains, and L shaped shields rising upwardly from the deck of the barge and extending longitudinally thereof and laterally outwardly over` the propelling means and having their outer edges openly spacedfrom the sid-cs of the barge, whereby the drippings or dirt from the propelling means may return to the water from the sides of the barge,and angle bracing brackets seand overlying and secured to the top of the shield for reinforcing the same.

2. In combination with a barge, propelling means therefor comprising a pair of chains travelling longitudinally about the barge adjacent each side, propelling members connecting said chains, rollers mounted on the bottom and the ends of the barge and engaged by said chains, said rollers being spaced from the bottom and ends of the barge and rotatably mounted in brackets spaced from each other, whereby the chains will be forced inwardly between the rollers when the barge goes over an obstruction, thereby assuring the grip of the pro felling members upon the obstruction at di erent angles so that said propelling members will completely grip the obstruction, and means whereby said propelling members at each side of the barge may be operated in unison or independently.

In testimony whereof he hereunto ailixes his signature.

JAMES HENRY GASKINS, 

